Tiny Green Tea Garden

For this instructable I thought about coming up with a great gift idea for those of you on a budget! This miniature moss garden is composed of supplies that require little to no new purchases! In order to get started you will only need a few things......

-1 new or used teacup and saucer (preferably a saucer with a large rim) Note: At every goodwill I've been to, there is always a surplus of cheap teacups!

-1 back or silver permanent marker

-A box of Scotch Moss

- Various pebbles or different sizes and colors

Step 1: Clean Pebbles

First, place the pebbles in boiling water and this will eliminate any dirt or dust on them, as well as making them easier to write on.

Step 2: Place Moss Into the Teacup!

Warning: Do not try to force a lot of the moss into the teacup, it will grow into it!

Step 3: Select Some Words That Best Describe the One You Love!

Use the permanent marker to write Chinese characters that best represent the person you are making this for! I'm making this for my Grandfather for Father's Day, so I thought of a few of the better qualities he has!

Here are some examples of characters you can use:

Step 4: Arrange Your Garden!

The last step is to arrange your Tiny Green Tea Garden as you desire! Fill the saucer with many decorative rocks or make it ultra zen with only a few! 享受！~

Wow! Great link! The terrariums are very beautiful! I've also noticed there are some great miniature plant/moss terrariums on http://etsy.com as well when you search them! :) I definitely drew inspiration from these, but kept in mind that I wanted it to be affordable and that I wanted it to utilize supplies that I thought would be accessible for many makers.

........yes, I guess that is the downside to keeping moss, that they do require a lot of water.

Thanks. The setup you saw above only cost the gas money to drive to the park... we already had the containers. As for water... with them loosely covered, it doesn't take much water or attention at all.